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1 DOUGLAS COUNTY OUTDOORS DOUGLAS COUNTY FORESTRY DEPARTMENT OUTDOOR REPORT NATURE Fall is around the corner and soon hunters will be out hitting the woods. Desired game species can be found throughout the County Forest and ideal hunting and trapping opportunities abound. The Forest is open to public hunting and trapping with the exception of a very few areas in and or around developed features (County Parks, Developed Recreational Area of the Wildlife Area, etc.). Large expanses of remote public land that give any hunter or trapper ample room to roam make the Forest a premier annual hunting and trapping destination. With more than 278,000 acres of public land supporting high populations of desirable game species combined with low hunter/trapper densities and seemingly endless fishing opportuni- ties, the Douglas County Forest is a true sportsman’s paradise. Find public lands, grouse management areas, and numerous informational items in our Douglas County Forest Sportsman’s brochure. Douglas County Forest Sportsman's Brochure Printed brochures are available by contacting the Forestry De- partment at (715) 378-2219. Fields and Forest Lands Interactive Gamebird Hunting Tool (FFLIGHT) The Wisconsin DNR has produced an online mapping program available to the public for hunters to find suitable habitat for ruffed grouse and woodcock on state and county lands. The tool will allow hunters to explore an interactive mapping envi- ronment to locate: 5-20 year old aspen stands (state and county lands) Lowland alder (state and county lands) State properties stocked with pheasants Fields on state lands managed for doves Hunters will also be able to view aerial photos, topographic maps, parking lots, download and print maps, measure areas and distances. Follow the link below to the Wisconsin DNR web site. FFLIGHT Mapping Tool To view the 2015 Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Seasons go to: http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/wm/WM0153_2.pdf SEPTEMBER 2015 Douglas County Forestry Department Home of Wisconsin’s Largest County Forest 9182 E. Hughes Ave., PO Box 211 Solon Springs, WI 54873 Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] Park/Trails Recording-[PHONE REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 Nature (Continued from page 1) Soon the forest will be a kaleidoscope of fall colors. Many town and forest roads in Douglas County will be providing a color show around every corner. Check out the possibilities in the Douglas County Forest General Information Brochure, a map showing the roads in Douglas County (including Wisconsin State Highways down to the maintained county forest roads) can be found in this brochure. Contact the Douglas County For- estry Office to get a copy of this brochure at [PHONE REDACTED]. Douglas County Parks The Douglas County Parks and Campgrounds (with the excep- tion of Gordon Dam Campground) will be closing September 14th. The Gordon Dam Campground will switch over to off season camping on September 15th. Off season camping is offered at the Gordon Dam Campground from the second Tuesday after Labor Day until two Thursdays before Memorial Day; on a first-come, first-served self-registration basis. No electric service provided, upper restrooms are open but not stocked or serviced, no garbage pickup provided (100% carry-in carry-out), no firewood delivery provided, and the fish cleaning house is closed. Water hand pumps are available for use. Off-Season access to the park is 100% weather dependent and no snow removal or vehicle recovery services will be provided. Access at your own risk. The park access road serves as a winter snowmobile trail during the winter months and is actively groomed for snowmobile use. Use of the road during this time of year by highway vehicles is prohibited. Off-Season Camping Rates: $10.00/night at any site. Recreational Trails As conditions change throughout the season, be sure to get the latest update on trail conditions by visiting www.douglascountywi.org/forestry, or by calling the Douglas County Trail Hotline 24 hours a day 7 days a week at (715) 378-4528. Find us on Facebook Douglas County Forestry is on Facebook, find us at UPCOMING EVENTS Children’s Nature Playgroup A Children's Nature Playgroup, sponsored by the Friends of the Bird Sanctuary will hold their last event of the year on Wednesday, September 16th at the Bird Sanctuary Club House in Solon Springs. See the attached flyer for more information. Find their Facebook page at Hiking Join members of the North Country Trail Association’s Brule-St. Croix Chapter for hikes on the North Country National Scenic Trail. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at KD’s Restaurant in Solon Springs. See the attached flyer for the schedule. For more information; [PHONE REDACTED] email: Facebook: NCTinWI ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 Reminder... Before Heading to the Woods this Fall Fall is a great time to get out and enjoy the County Forest. Whether it's hiking, camp- ing, hunting, ATV riding, viewing colorful foliage, taking in the beauty of nature, or one of the many other experiences the County Forest offers; users are asked to please check rules and regulations before setting out. Know where you are and when you are on County Forest lands. Maps and Douglas County Plat Books are available at many County Offices and businesses throughout the County. Treestand, ground blind, and waterfowl blind use is regulated. Hunters are asked to familiarize themselves with the rules before installing any treestands or blinds on County Forest property. A new Sportsman’s Brochure providing a wealth of information related to hunting, fishing, and trapping is now available. All persons wishing to camp on the Forest at any time are required to obtain a permit. Motorized travel is regulated. Users are asked to know the rules before operating any motorized vehicles on County Forest property. The 2010 Access Management Brochure is still current and available. All persons wishing to collect firewood, Christmas trees, fir boughs, birch stems/branches, birch bark, or any other product of plant origin (live or dead) are required to obtain a permit. For further information on these and other Forest regulations, including many new informational publications, please visit the Forestry Department link on the County website www.douglascountywi.org/forestry or contact the Forestry De- partment at (715) 378-2219. The sustainability of our Forest lands depends on all of us. Please remember to respect other users, respect rules and regulations, respect the environment and together we can ensure that all users may enjoy Douglas County Forest lands for many generations. -Douglas County Forestry Department Committed to promoting sustainable forestry for current and future generations. ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 ---PAGE BREAK--- 5